BJP reinstates picture of Sree Chithira Thirunal removed during former mayor's rule; sparks controversy in corporation again

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP has reinstated the picture of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, which was removed from the Corporation Council Hall by the LDF governing body when Arya Rajendran was the mayor. With this, the dispute between the LDF and the BJP in the corporation has intensified again.

The picture of Chithira Thirunal installed behind the mayor's dais since the corporation was formed in 1940, was removed during the last days of the previous LDF governing body. Instead, a picture of Mahatma Gandhi was placed in its place. Although the BJP protested against this, the LDF governing body was not ready to reinstall the picture.

The BJP has now reinstated the picture after taking over the corporation. The pictures of Mahatma Gandhi and Chithira Thirunal are installed side by side. The move has sparked a new political controversy with the LDF opposing it. Mayor V V Rajesh said the picture was there earlier and now they have reinstated it.

The controversy started with the dispute between BJP councilor R Sreelekha and MLA V K Prasanth shortly after the party came to power in the corporation elections. The new controversy follows the disputes between KSRTC and the corporation over the service of electric buses.